Five Years of Tranquility: The Story Behind Cambridgeshire Lakes

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In the summer of 2018, on a quiet patch of Cambridgeshire countryside, there was nothing but open fields, the soft sound of wind through the grass, and a dream. A big one.

The Alexander family had always imagined creating something special—more than just a place to stay, but a place to feel. A space where couples could reconnect, where families could press pause, and where the noise of life gave way to birdsong and still water.

They didn’t have a single cabin yet. Not even the lake had been dug. But they had a vision.

“We were literally standing on raw ground when Paul from Norwegian Log first came to see it,” Jemma remembers with a laugh. “There was nothing here. But we knew what it could become—a peaceful escape that felt like a step up from home. Something meaningful.”

From Field to Sanctuary

With the help of Norwegian Log and a whole lot of determination, the Alexander family brought their vision to life. Between 2019 and 2021, they built four hand-crafted, traditional log cabins—each one thoughtfully positioned to overlook a serene lake they carved into the land themselves.

• Trinity Lodge opened in September 2019.

• St John’s Lodge followed just two months later.

• Peterhouse welcomed guests in early 2020—just weeks before the pandemic shut the world down.

• Fitzwilliam raced to completion by Christmas 2021, decorators still painting as the first guests arrived.

“We were literally still painting as people came down the driveway,” Jemma grins. “It felt like one of those scenes on a TV show.”

Weathering Storms, Embracing Calm

Like countless hospitality businesses, Cambridgeshire Lakes had to close during the early days of COVID-19. But when they reopened, something incredible happened: the bookings didn’t just come back—they never stopped.

From the start, the Alexander family were hands-on, learning as they went, constantly adjusting to meet guests' needs before they even had to ask.

“There were lessons everywhere,” Jemma says. “Like realising guests struggled with gas BBQs—so now we double up on bottles and check them every turnover. Or adding a dog-friendly lodge when people kept asking to bring their pets. We’re always thinking about how to make things easier and more thoughtful.”

Every Detail, Deliberate

Nothing about Cambridgeshire Lakes is accidental. The cabins—crafted in traditional Norwegian Log style —were chosen to evoke warmth and simplicity. Big picture windows drop low so you can sip your morning coffee in bed and watch the mist rise over the lake.

“I didn’t want something that looked like two shipping containers stuck together,” says Jemma. “I wanted real log cabins. I wanted people to wake up and feel the stillness of the lake, the sense that they’ve stepped out of time.”

And the lake? That, too, is by design.

“Most people don’t have water outside their front door. That one extra thing—the view, the wildlife, the light dancing on the surface—that’s the magic.”

A Place for Everyone

Cambridgeshire Lakes has welcomed all kinds of guests over the years: families with toddlers, couples escaping the city, solo travelers in need of rest, and even contractors seeking a quiet base.

Some come from just down the road. Others from as far as Cornwall or Kent. A few have stayed 14 or 15 times.

“People say the same thing,” says Jemma. “‘When I’m here, I switch off completely.’ And it doesn’t matter if they live five minutes or five hours away—they could be anywhere in the world once they arrive.”

Looking Ahead

Now, five years in, the couple are still dreaming—and building. They've refined their processes, reinforced safety (even installing subtle landscaping barriers in case of runaway cars), and always look for ways to improve.

Next? They’re planning six one-bedroom lodges, designed with couples in mind—smaller, equally luxurious, and perfect for those looking for an intimate countryside retreat.

Their advice for anyone thinking about chasing a similar dream?

“Don’t overthink it. Don’t cost it to death. Just do it,” says Jemma. “It’s hard work. You’ll be on call 24/7. But if your heart’s in it? It’s worth every bit.”

A Lasting Legacy of Peace

Cambridgeshire Lakes isn’t just a place on a map. It’s the product of years of passion, perseverance, and personal investment. It’s early mornings and late nights, hand-painted signs, weighed gas bottles, and geese waddling up to the decking for breakfast.

It’s also something far more rare: a quiet sanctuary that welcomes you exactly as you are, and sends you home just a little more whole.

Because sometimes, all it takes is a lake, a cabin, and a little space to breathe.